Early in the week, cloudy skies, rainshowers and cool temperatures dominated the weather. Heavy rains were reported on Wednesday. A general, yet brief warmup was observed on Thursday and Friday. Most sites noted afternoon temperatures in the mid to upper 70's. The trailing edge of a cold front swept through the state late Friday and produced severe weather. North and northeastern counties reported high winds and damaging hail on that first day of Spring 1998. Large hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter fell in Darlington County. Cloudiness lingered on Saturday and was accompanied by cold, brisk winds. Sunny skies returned for Sunday with afternoon temperatures rising into the 60's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 3 degrees below normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 80 degrees on March 20 at Florence FAA. The minimum observed temperature was 27 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of March 22. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Beaufort with 3.12" ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 19. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.9 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1997 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.70 17.6 5.2A 73 32
Charlotte, NC 0.86 12.6 1.7A 73 34
Columbia 1.76 17.4 5.4A 75 34
Florence FAA 2.70 17.1 7.3A 80 36
Blackville 1.13 18.7 7.2A 76 32
Augusta, GA 0.80 20.0 8.2A 75 33
Beaufort 3.39 22.9 13.0A 74 41
Charleston 3.16 23.3 13.2A 74 39
Myrtle Beach 1.98 23.4 12.5A 68 39
*A=Above, B=Below
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7:00 a.m.
Monday through ending 7:00 a.m. Sunday
ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY
Degree Days
Actual
Mar. 1-22
Cooling Heating
Columbia 0 345
Charleston 4 256
Greenville 0 428
Temperatures are expected to average near to above normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near normal.
The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an
average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 57 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are near to above normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 57 degrees.